Page:The Novels of Ivan Turgenev (volume XIV).djvu/340

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PYETUSHKOV

of the happiness of a whole life, don't you understand, and you hinder. . .'

Vassilissa did not know what to say.

'You won't... Well, as you will! God be with you. In that case, good-bye! Good-bye, Vassilissa. I wish you all happiness and prosperity. . . but I. . . but I. . .'

And Pyetushkov sobbed violently. Onisim with all his might held him up from behind. . . first his face worked, then he burst out crying. And Vassilissa cried too.

XI

Ten years later, one might have met in the streets of the little town of O——— a thinnish man with a reddish nose, dressed in an old green coat with a greasy plush collar. He occupied a small garret in the baker's shop, with which we are familiar. Praskovia Ivanovna was no longer of this world. The business was carried on by her niece, Vassilissa, and her husband, the red-haired, dim-eyed baker, Demofont. The man in the green coat had one weakness: he was over fond of drink. He was, however, always quiet when he was tipsy. The reader has probably recognised him as Ivan Afanasiitch.

1847.


Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty
at the Edinburgh University Press